Mrs. Mamie Higgins

With deepest regret, we announce the passing from this life of Mrs. Mamie (Smedley) Higgins, age 102, Chambers County native, and long-time resident of Roanoke, Alabama, currently residing at 1839 Sandringham Drive, Atlanta, Georgia. Mrs. Higgins transitioned during the early morning hours of Thursday, December 15, 2016, at the residence of her children, Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Debra Rogers in Atlanta.

Mrs. Higgins will be available for public viewing and visiting on Thursday, December 22, 2016, from 1:00 until 6:00 pm, here at the funeral home.

Funeral Services will be observed Friday, December 23, 2016, at 12:00 pm from the Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, 7485 County Road 278 (Welch Community), Roanoke, Alabama. Reverend Calvin Trammell is Pastor. Reverend John Burfell, Eulogist.

Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery at the church.

The Obituary

Mamie Smedley Higgins was born September 9, 1914 in Chambers County, Alabama (Hickory Flat). She was the ninth child of twelve children born to the late Thomas and Elizabeth (Hand) Smedley.

She accepted Christ at an early age under the pastoral guidance of Reverend Charlie Smedley and united with the Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in the Welch Community, Roanoke, Alabama.

Mamie received her early education at Canaan Elementary School and graduated from Randolph County Training School.

She was joined in Holy Matrimony with the late Gilbert Higgins of Five Points, Alabama, and in this union, one child was born.

In 1956, Mamie received her certificate to substitute teach. However, in 1964, she became a certified teacher. She taught night school to adults, while also working at Randolph County Training School. Mamie was an active member of the NAACP while she resided in Roanoke, Alabama. She later became employed with Clark Funeral Home, (Now Clark Memorial Funeral Service) for 20 plus years, until she retired. Mamie then relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law until she made her transition to be with the Lord and her Ancestors on December 15, 2016.

Mamie was a breast cancer survivor of 32 years. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing and working in her garden. Not only did Mamie survive breast cancer, but by the numbers, she exceeded expectations, abundantly blessed to see her 102nd birthday on September 9, of this year. Moreover, her life span afforded her the distinction of seeing the first black President elected to office, and the opportunity to proudly cast her vote for him in both the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections--a priceless privilege that many of her contemporaries would have envied. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Anna Maude Wilson, Mable Christian, Mary Lu Smedley, Inez Brock, Irene Scruggs, Evelyn Smith, Darthula Adams, and Miles Smedley.

Mamie leaves to cherish many loving memories, her devoted daughter, Deborah Higgins Rogers (Frank), three grand children: Antwione Rogers (LaTesa), Tracey Rogers (Floyd) and Frank Rogers, Jr. (Tashyna), seven great grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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